Iraq (Modern Babylon)

PROPHETIC SIGNIFICANCE:
The War Against Terrorism that began with the 9/11 attacks in 2001 has become a world-wide battle, involving many nations. The primary focus of
the U.S. retaliation was the Taliban in Afghanistan and Osama bin Laden's al Qaeda network.

In 2003 the U.S. invaded Iraq, believing that their dictator Saddam Hussein and his government were building weapons of mass destruction. Hussein's regime
was overturned, but after many years of trying to help the Iraqis establish democracy and rebuild their infrastructure, American troops were withdrawn in 2011.
Serious fighting has continued in the country between rival Sunni and Shia Muslims, and even though Osama bin Laden was killed in 2011, al Qaeda has
grown stronger there and now controls parts of the country.

Current Events and Links

Notice: Spelling of names varies from source to source because of the process of transliteration into English (eg. al Qaeda / al Qaida).
Sources often remove their news links after a period of time. Some of them move older stories to a subscription-only section. Even if the story is no
longer on line, our summary will still be available on this page.

Jan. 7, 2014 - Secretary of State John F. Kerry pledged support to Iraq in their effort to counter al Qaeda forces, which have taken control of two
Iraqi cities [Ramadi and Fallujah] but no American troops will be sent there.

Kerry described the militants from the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, or ISIS, as “the most dangerous players” in the region. But ... Kerry said it was
Iraq’s battle to fight.

McCain and Graham slam Obama for Iraq violence
- When President Obama withdrew all U.S. forces from Iraq in 2011, over the objections of our military leaders and commanders on the ground, many of us
predicted that the vacuum would be filled by America's enemies. - CNN

Jan. 5, 2014 - According to Iraqi police, the government has lost control of the city of Fallujah.

The al-Qaida-linked Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS), which is active in both countries, pushed police out of the city center after shelling in the
city had been reported from Friday night into Saturday.

Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki says the government will fight back until they "eliminate" al-Qaeda militants there.

This development comes as al Qaeda shows strength in other areas of the Middle East and the U.S. has lost much of its influence.